Social network change after new-onset pain among middle-aged and older European adults

Objective: This study examines how onset of chronic pain affects characteristics of personal social networks among adults aged 51+ across Europe. Methods: We used population-based data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE; 2011–2015; n = 12,647). Using a change score analysis approach, we tracked changes in personal social networks of respondents experiencing new-onset chronic pain (n = 3803) compared to pain-free counterparts (n = 8844) in 11 European countries over four years. Results: Overall, consistent with network activation theory, respondents with new-onset mild-to-moderate chronic pain reported increases in sizes and diversity of their personal social networks, compared to their pain-free counterparts. However, consistent with the “pain as threat to the social self” theory, respondents with new-onset moderate pain or mild-to-moderate pain reported a decrease over time in perceived satisfaction and closeness with networks, respectively. Estimates from interactions between new-onset pain severity and sex show that men with new-onset pain experienced greater decreases in network satisfaction (mild pain) and closeness (severe pain) than did women. Discussion: This study highlights the complex social consequences of chronic pain, which may vary based on pain severity, gender, and type of social outcome considered.